Don't want to let good Osage go to waste...

[meatCKR]

So the horse farm next door to me decided to do some brush clearing to make room for a new training track.  Got a nice Osage tree that is right on the property line.  They lopped off a piece of the tree that was leaning over into their side of the property and had it in a brush pile that I assume they were just going to cart away or burn right there.  Me, not one to waste good wood, went over to ask them if I could have the piece they cut off. They let me have it. I had been eyeing that tree for a while even picking out straight parts of the tree to cut some day to do a self bow project.  Each year the tree produces the big green tennis balls and this year, I am going to get seeds so I can start growing more trees.  Maybe my son can harvest them one day.
The piece they cut off is not very straight - but what say you TradGang?  Do you think I can make a bow from this piece?  The thinner part of the branch that arches is 56 inches long but is pretty curved.  So I have a few questions.

1. How long should this wood cure?
2. Can Osage be straightened?

 

 

Thanks TG!

[Eric Krewson]

I applaud your asking permission to recover the wood, so many brag openly about "liberating", "snagging" or just plain stealing bow wood without a second thought.

Your wood is not bow quality wood. There is a possibility you can cut the longer, narrow limb at the fork, split or cut it in half length wise and have two billet pieces you could splice together in the handle to make a bow.

This limb piece will be full of knots with very thick sapwood and very little heart wood, a challenge for sure but doable.

I would split it in half, seal the ends really well, leave the bark on, spray the bark with a strong bug spray to keep the wood wasps at bay and let it sit for a year or so.

If you make a bow from it you will need a heat gun to straighten it which isn't that hard to do.

I suspect you will make a bow with a combination of heartwood and sapwood, maybe only heart wood if the sapwood is really thin.

In my pile your piece would be used for turning tool handles on my lathe or for firewood but it doesn't hurt to give it a try as bow wood.

[Pat B]

I agree with Eric.

[Charlie Lamb]

Agree with Eric and Pat. I'd like to add that getting a copy of Dean Torges book "Hunting the Osage Bow" would answer your questions and others that will surely arise.

[meatCKR]

Thanks Guys!  Eric, I will split this and seal per your advice and Charlie, I will be sure to pick up Dean's book.  There's just something special about Osage!

Thanks again!

[ChuckC]

Ya know, you can use the Osage for other things besides self bows, like knife handles, laminations in the handle and tips of laminated bows, maybe footings for arrows.  I would see what wood you can save and use up anyway, bow or not.
ChuckC

[tippit]

All those knots that bowyers despise are what bladesmiths love     tippit

   

   

   

[horseapple]

Shaped 6 bows this week from staves so I have a tonage of knife handle material  

[Steven E Milbocker]

Love that knife tippit, its a beauty!